The family-friendly event will feature a myriad of soda samples, live music, entertainment and a chance to chat it up with Galco’s owner John Nese, aka the “King of Pop.”

In addition, Nese will unveil the revolutionary, do-it-yourself Galco’s Soda Creation Station where there are literally a million possible soda combinations. A first for the soda pop market, the Creation Station invites soda lovers to choose a mixture of flavors, add carbonation strength, mix and then cap and label a 12 oz. bottle.

“The Soda Creation Station continues Galco’s mission of offering customers ‘Freedom of Choice,’” says Nese about the homemade sodas that folks will be able to create to their liking. Customers can choose to mix up to two of the 80 syrups that are offered as well as adding light or full carbonation.

“The Soda Creation Station puts Galco’s in the forefront of soda history,” says Nese who hopes the new area will attract families, birthday party goers, sodaphiles and creative culinary DIYers.

All proceeds from the Summer Soda Tasting 3 will go to Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition (FoSMC); Nese is pleased to be part of the fight to have Los Angeles’ first museum as well as the Casa de Adobe opened once again to the public full time and permanent.

This year’s soda sampling selections will feature a whopping 23 soda brands from all over the world. Being unveiled at the Summer Soda Tasting is the newest flavor in Galco’s White Rose line of soda pop: Cherry (proceeds of sales of all White Rose sodas throughout the year benefit the FoSMC).

Other samplings at press time include:

Bundaberg sodas from Australia

Texas’ popular Hippo sodas

Reboot of O-So Soda – Grape

Mountain Valley Spring Water

In between soda tastings, guests can enjoy a variety of entertainment featuring local talent including:

Don Preston and Bunk Gardner from the Mothers of Invention (Frank Zappa)

Singing sensation 15-year-old Genesee Hall

Fly By Night Blues Band lead by Greger Walnum

The Mele ‘Ohana Ukulele Group

Tickets for the Summer Soda Tasting are $12 in advance, $15 the day of the event. Children ages 3-11 will be charged $5. Tickets can be purchase at Galco’s or online via the Friends of the Southwest Museum.

In addition to soda tastings, the Galco’s store will be open so people can stock up on any soda, candy and all Galco’s products. Proceeds from all store sales at the event will also be donated to the Friends of the Southwest Museum by Galco’s.